Automatic lubricating device



April 19, 1927.

2 Sheets-Sheet" 1 Filed April 14, 1923 INVENTQR :iApril 19, 1927. 1

L. M. CLARK' AUTOMATIC LUBRIGATING DEVICE Filed April 14, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIII/ III-EVERETT M. CLARK, OF NEW YGRK,

COMIE'ANY, 01* NYEVJ 'IIQRK, N. Y

N. "5. ASSIGITOE T0 BAZLWAY IMPROVEMENT A CGEEQRATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOIVZATIC LUBRIOATING DEVICE.

Application filed. April 14, 1923.

This invention relates to luliiricating devices and more particularly to devices of this nature in which the feed of the lubricant is automatic and automatically controlled.

The object of the invention is to provide a lubricating device of simple structure and which is economical to manufacture, easily applied and efficient in operation.

A. further object is to provide a lubricating device of the character referred to wherein n'ovision is made for utilizing the combined action of atmospheric and internal pressures, siphonic eapillarity, and gravity in controlling the feed of the luljiricant to the bearing to he lubricated.

A further object is to provide a lubricating device of the nature referred to wherein refilling is easily and convenientiy effected without removal of the device from the bearing; in connection with which it is used.

A further object is to provide a lubricating device of the nature referred to having a 'e-nt opening to atmosphere from the lCSl'Y()ll', to permit the utilization of atmospheric pressure in controlling the feed.

A further object is to provide a feed wick and a support therefor in a lubricating; device of the ature referred to of such construction as to contribute to the efiicient control of the rate of feed of the lubricant.

A further object is to provide a. lubricating device which, when once filled and ap plied in position for use, requires no further care or attention except to refill the same when required.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accon'ipanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, parts hroken out and parts in central longitudinal section. showing one form of structure of lubricating device embodying the principles of my invention.

7 l l is a sin'iilar view showing-a modilied structure of the type shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2,

showing another form of lubricating device Serial No. 631,994.

use and having a vent applied in position for and embodying my opening to atmosphere, invention.

Fig. i is a View similar to Fig. 3, showing a slightly different arrangement of feed wick support.

Fig. 5 is a detached detail view in side elevation of the form of feed wick support shown in Fig. l.

Figs. 6 and T are detached detail views in side and front elevations respectively, of the form of feed wick and its support shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detached broken detail view in rear elevation of the upper portion of feed wick support shown in figs. G and 7.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9, 9, Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

The efiicient and economical lubrication of shaft, axle and other bearings, has come to be a recognized and an important factor in the maintenance and upkeep of machinery employed in all lines of industry, and particularly in the case of electric motor shaft bearings, railway axle bearings, journal boxes, and the like. The problems encountered in meeting the practical requirements of a lubricating device for securing the maximum of economy and efficiency in lubricating devices are many and serious. Foremost among the requirements is that the shaft, axle or other bearing to be lubricated should receive automatically a constant and uniform supply of fresh, clean oil under all conditions of speed and operation. It is also of the utmost importance to supply the lubricant to the hearing in such manner as to prevent the entrance therewith of dirt, grit or other foreign matter, the presence of which in the bearing not only means loss of power and the increased generation of heat, but also results in rapid grinding, wear of, and injury to the bearing and shaft or axle. The too rapid feed of oil, or other lubricant not only is wasteful through leakage overflow, and hence is expensive, but it also causes the usual packing waste to become saturated and gummed up thereby causing the same to become clogged in its action in Oil delivering the oil to the surfaces to be lubricated, and necessitating its frequent re moval and renewal which is expensive. This isespccially true where the lubricant becomes oxidized by contact or commingling with heated air. Another requirement in securing economy and ei'iiciency is that the device must be of such structure and arrangement as to permit it to be readily and easily refilled without detaching or reinoving the same from its assembled relation with respect to the bearing.

It is among the special purposes of the present invention to provide a lubricating device which meets the e and other requirements. In carrying out my invention 1 pro vide a lubricating device which is simple in structure, economical to make and easy to apply in position for use, and wherein an efficient, constant feed of the oil lubricant is effected automatically even under the conditions of increased fluidity and internal pressure variations due to the development of heat in the lubricated bearing and the transmission of the same to the device.

I propose, in carrying out my invention, to utilize the combined act-ion of atmospheric and internal pressures, siphonic capillarity and gravity, in effecting the control of the feed of the lubricant. This result may be accomplished in various forms and arrangements of structures and in the accompanying drawings 1 have shown several forms of embodiments of the invention. In all cases I employ a reservoir in the form of a closed hollow casing which may be of any desired form or shape. I have found that a reservoir of generally cylindrical shape will answer the purpose, but my invention is not to be limited or restricted in this respect. Into this reservoir the lubricant is supplied through a filler opening which is closed by a removable plug.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, reference numeral 10 designates the reservoir having a filler opening which is closed by the removable plug 11. In this embodiment of my invention the tiller opening is in the lower or bottom wall of the reservoir when the latter is applied to a bearing housing or casing in position for use. It will be observed that the filler opening is formed through a boss 12 which extends a short dis tance into the interior of the reservoir. This results in preventing the reservoir from being entirely filled and ensures the trapping in the reservoir of a certain volume of air in the space above the level of the oil. here the filler opening is located in the bottom wall of the reservoir it is neces sary to detach and invert the reservoir wherever it is to be refilled. Extending into the interior of the reservoir through its bottom wall is a tube 13, which, in this instance, has its inner short end bent so to terminate near the bottom of the reservoir. Extending through the tube is a feed wick 14, the inner end of which extends beyond the short inner open end of the bent tube. The outer end of the feed wick extends beyond. the outer open long end of the tube. After the reservoir is tilled and the tiller plug inserted tightly in the tiller opening, the reservoir is again inverted and placed and secured in the desired position for the lubricant to be supplied therefrom to the shaft, axle or other bearing. jlhlllOl pheric pressure exerted against the long open outer end of the tube prevents the lubricant from escaping through the tube but the feed wick causes the oil to be fed at first by the combined action of capillarity and gravity, and then, after the feed of the oil is thus inaugurated such feed is continued by siphonic capillarity.

in Fig. 2 a slightly modified structure and arrangei'nent is shown, wherein the filler opening and plug 11 are located in the top wall of the reservoir 1.0. In this case the feed wick 14. is disposed in the tube 13 in the same relation as above described with reference to Fig. 1. Vhere the filler opening is located in the top wall of the reservoir it will be seen that during the filling of the reservoir the lubricant will enter the feed tube 13 and would begin to siphon out through the tube as soon as the level of the lubricant in the reservoir rises to a point above the bend in the inner end of the tube. To prevent the too rapid escape of the lubricant through this siphonic action I insert a plug of felt or other suitable material 15 in the outer open end of the tube 13, the feed wick 14- passing through the longitudinal central bore of the plug. If desired, and in order to facilitate the insertion of the feed wick 14 into position in and through the feed tube, a holder wire 16 having a loop or eye 17 formed at one end thereof, is used. The inner end of the wick is secured to this loop or eye 17, and the wire being sufficiently flexible, the wick is thereby very easily and readily inserted in position through the tube by pushing the wire 16 through the tube till the inner end of the wick is brought into contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall of the reservoir. The outer end of the wire 16 may be anchored in any suitable or convenient manner. as, for example, by bending the same laterally, as indicated at 18, and passing the bent portion through a slot or opening in the tube. This securely holds the wire and the feed wick in place. In this structure it is unnecessary to remove and invert the reservoir in order to refill it. the lubricant from the reservoir is effected at first by the wick through the combined action of capillarity and gravity. When the feed is once inaugurated in this manner it is The feed 0 ii established.

- tension of the lubricant across the inner open end of the tube. When this ta'kes place one or more bubbles of air will enter and bubble up through the body of lubricant in the reserv into the space above the level of the lubricant thereby partially breairingg' the vacuum and permitting more lubr ai'it to enter the tube until a static balance as between atmospheric 'n'essui'e and the l ostatic head of the oil in the reservoir is This cycle of operation is repeated over and over again until the lubricant is exhausted from the reservoir to the point where the inner open end ot the tube is above the level of the lubricant in the reservoir. hen this point reached the original status is restored by merely relilling the reservoir.

The operation just described is-thc same in the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the main point of difference between the structures of Figs. 1 and 2, being that in the latter the refilling of thereservoir is oil cted without removing and inverting the same is required in the structure shown in Fig. 1, the plug serving to prevent or retard any loss of lubricant while the reservoir is being retilled through purely siphonic action.

lhus it will be seen that in these struc tures embodying my invention, I am enabled to inaugurate the feed of the lubricant through the combined action of capillarity and gravity and thereafter to maintain a constant uniform feed by siphonic-capillairity, such feed being controlled by the opposing forces of internal and atmospheric pressures. In the arrangements described the rate of the feed may be controlled by *a 'yin'g the height of the capil lift e2:- erte-d by the feed wick. This lift is determined by the design and dimension of the tube. and by the character of wick and the number of strands emploved in the Wick.

The reservoirs may be applied to and. supported in position upon the journal or axle bearing housing in any suitable manner. in Fig. 1. I have shown the reservoir provided with flanges 19', at the ends thereof for this purpose.

In Figs.

and at, another structure of mounting is employed, wherein a tubular bushing 20 is extended through the reser- \"oir, which bushing receives therethrough the shank of an anchor bolt 21. T his anchor bolt depends into the journal box or housing and bolted or otherwise secured there in, as indicated at 223'. A clamp nut 24 applied to the threaded end of the shank of the anchor bolt 21 which extends thr 'mgh the bushing 20, serves to rigidly clamp and hold the reservoir in place. If desired, and as shown, the usual hingedlop or cover plate for journal housing or casing 22 is removed and the anchor bolt is passed into the lionsing or casing tll] )ll) 'll the opening left by such removal. In practice the anchor bolt should be so attached to the journal housing or casing as to enable its shank portion which extends through the bushin' 20 to be I vertical. In order to insure against the in gross of dirt, dust or other foreign matter into the journal housiiu I provide a saddle cover {)0 which I secure by welding or otherwise to the bottom of the reservoir .10, which cover is designed to fit over the journal ll()USlll opening, and I inter-pose a gasket 51 between the saddle coverand the edges of the walls of the journal hoi'ising. Since, in this construction and arrangement the reservoir, when once secur d in position, is intended to remain stationary and without removal for filling the mounting described is exceedingly simple and eliecti ve for per manency, and the packing waste with which the journal housing is usuallysupplied, is maintained free of dirt, dust or the like.- llhe location of the tiller opening and plug in the top wall of the reservoir avoids the necessity for removing' the reservoir for filling. The only care or attention required to replenisl'i the supply of lubricant as the same is used up for lubricating the bearing.

In the ei-nbodiments of my invention as shown in Figs. and t, the curved form of feeder tube is replaced by two tubes, one of which indicated at I will call the control tube. and the other. 26, I will call the feeder tube, these two tubes being so arranged as to accommodate a feed wick, and to secure the desired initial feed through the combined action of capillarity and gravity, as above described with reference to the structures shown in Figs. 1 and 2,. and thereafter to conti-mie the feed through the action of Ipl1onic-capillarity and the counterbalancing' forces of internal and atmospheric pressures, the rate of feed being controlled by adjustment and size of the wick. as above described. In order to secure these results I arrange the control tube to extend vertically into the reservoir througl'i an opening in the top wall thereof. the inner open end of said tube terminating a short. distance above the bottom wall of the reser- Ila? voir. The upper exterior end of this control tube is closed air tight by a screw cap and an intermediate washer 28. The feeder tube 26 is of smaller diameter than that of the control tube 25 and extends vertically into the reservoir through the bottom wall thereof, the upper end of said feeder tube extending into the lower open end of the control lube and in eccentric relation therewith. The lower end. of the feeder tube 26 extends through the lower wall of the reservoir and down into the interior of the journal housing 22. A wick 29, Fig. 1-, is inserted through the feeder tube 26, and into the control tube 25, and thence downwardly through the space formed between the control, and feeder tubes by reason of their eccentric relation, and beyond the lower open end of the control tube to a point in contact with the bottom wall of the reservoir. If desired a support 30, Figs. l and 5, may be provided to support and hold the lift portion of the wick in position. In the form of wick support shown as an illustrative embodiment of my invention, it consists of a wire having loops 31 formed therein at various points along its lengrth. The wick support 30, in this instance is inserted into the control tube 25 and extends down through the space between the control and feeder tubes and beyond the lower open end of the control tube to the bottom wa l of the reservoir. One end of the wick is secured to the lower end of the wick support and is passed through or supported by one or another of the loops 81, according to the height desired of the lift action of the wick, that is, accordingto the desired rate of feed of the lubricant, the higher the lift the slower the rate of feed. The other end of the wick extends down through the feeder tube and, if desired, through the central bore of the plug 32 in the lower end of said tube, if such a plug is used into the journal housing, for delivery of the lubricant to the packingwaste contained therein or else direct tothe bearing to be luln'icated.

In Fig. 3 a somewhat differei'it structure of feed wick and support therefor is shown altl'ioug'h the general relation thereof with reference to the control and feed tubes is the same as above described with, reference to Fig. 4-. The wick in this instance is made up of a plurality of strands which are secured at one end to a loop or eye formed in the end of a short leg 35 of a wire sup port which is bent into U-shape. The other ends of the wick strands are secured in an eye or loop 36 formed in the end of the long: leg; 37 of said support. The loop portion of the wick support extends into the upper end of the control tube with the short leg: thereof extending downwardly through the space between the tubes 25, 26, beyond the lower end of the control tube to the bottom wall of the reservoir. The long h2g3? of the support extendsdown through the tube 26 into the journal housing for delivery of the lubricant to the waste therein contained or to the bearing; to be lubricated. The intermediate loop portion of the wick engaged over atongue 38 formed in a clip 32), which is :t'astei'icd to the loop portion of the wick support. The height of the clip 39 on the wick support will determine the height of the lift of the wick in its capillary feed action and hence will exert a control upon the rate of feed of the lubricant. If desired, and in order to produce a more or less choke f the feeding action of the wick to prevent a too rapid feed of the lubricant, the number of strands in the long; leg; of the wick may be increased. This is effected in various ways. In the arrangement shown an eye 40 is formed in the long leg of the wick sup port to which a series of additional wick strands ll are connected at one end, the other ends of said additional wick strands being anchored in the eye 36 formed at the extremity of said long leg. If desired, and as shown, the ends of the wick strands which are fastened to the extremity of the long log of the wick support may be securely anchored in place by means of a soft metal plug, indicated at 4-2, in 7. By this expedient not only are the ends of the wick strands securely anchored without cutting or abrading them, but the wick is thus sealed in place against unauthorized tampering; and by means of identifying marks pressed into the soft metal plugs any particular wick may be readily identified in case it is faulty or has been tampered with. This is a particularly desirable feature in this type of wick structure for the reason that each wick is constructed, and the height of the holder clip 39 therefor is adjusted before being rigidly clamped to the wick holder, according to the particular rate of feed of lubricant to be secured.

By the structure of wick and support therefor, as above described, a uniform tension of the wick strands is secured, thereby aiding in securing and maintaining a uniform feed of the lubricant through the capillary acizon of the wick. Moreover such arrangement enables the feeder wick structure to be constructed as complete units and carried in st ck and graded according to the rate of lubricant feed to be obtained. It also facilitates the. insertion of the wick in working position. in assembling; the device for use, since by merely removing the screw cap 27 of the control tube the wick unit can be very easily d readily dropped into place with the short or lift leg: tl ereof passing; through the space between tubes 25, 26, until it rests on the bottom wall of the reservoir, and the long thereof passing down into "he feed tube 26. The screw cup is then aplilfi chor bolt bushing 20.

plied to the end of the control tube thereby efficiently holding the wick unit in place.

In the structures shown in Figs. 3 and at, a vent opening from the reservoir to the atmosphere is provided. This may be arranged in various ways. A simple arrange ment is shown wherein the vent opening is effected by means of a passage 43 forming a communication between the interior of the control tube 25 and the interior of the an- If desired, and as shown in Fig. 3, the shank of the anchor bolt is off-set from the inner wall of the bushing 20 at the point where the passage 4-3 opens into said bushing, thereby insuring against the possibility of the anchor bolt shank blanking or closing said communi cation. This result is accomplished by enlarging the bore of the bushing at this point, so as to provide the annular space 44.

The operation of the devices shown in Figs. 3 and l is similar to that of the devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the normal level of the lubicant in the control tube is maintained at or near the lower open end of said tube. Atmospheric air enters the upper end of the control. tube through the vent l3, and as the lubricant level in the said tube app-roaches the lower open end of said tube, atmospheric pressure will finally overcome the surfi-ice tension of the lubricant across the open end of the control tube thereby allowing air bubbles to escape from the control tube and bubble up through the body of lubricant in the reservoir into the space above the level of the lubricant in the reservoir. This partially breaks the vacuum in this space and permits the level of the lubricant to again rise to the desired height of level in the control tube until, through the feed of the lubricant for lubrication this level height is again lowered, when the cycle of operation is repeat-ed, until the lubricant in the reservoir is sufficiently e):- hau-sted therefrom to require refilling the reservoir. 7

It will be seen that where the vent openinp; ll") is from the bushing, which accommodates the shank of the clamp bolt 21, instead. of direct to the outer air the distinct advantage is gained of utilizing an air supply obtained from the interior of the bearing housing. This air is usually saturated with the oil vapors and hence contains less oxygen than in the case of fresh air admitted direct from the exterior of the apparatus, thereby greatly-diminishing, if not eliminating, the oxidation of the lubricant in the feeder wick, which would seriously interfere with the capillary feed action of the wick.

It will be observed that the hole or opening in the tube 18, Fig. 2, which receives the end of the wick support 16, performs the same function of a vent opening as described with reference to Figs. 2 and 4.

As above explained, the rate of feed of the lubricant to the bearing to be lubricated is dependent upon various factors, including, first, the height of the level of the lubricant in the control tube. Variations of this level height will affect the rate of feed for the reason that such variations :afiect the height of lift of the lubricant by the capillary action of the lift portion of the wick, the higher the level of the lubricant in the control tube the smaller will be the degree of capillary lift and consequently the faster will be the feed while the lower the level height in said tube the greater will be the degree of capillary lift and the slower the rate of feed. It desirable, therefore, in order to secure a uniform rate offeed to the bearing to main tain the height of the level in the tube as nearly constant as possible, and in order to do this such level should be maintained at as near the lower open end of said tube as possible in order that the air pressure may be able to overcome the surface tension of the lubricant at such level and permit the air to pass from the control tube into the reservoir and bubble up through the body of the lubricant into the space above the lubricant in the reservoir, so as to break the partial vacuum in said space according to the air thus admitted. In this way the balance between the interior and exterior pressures is being constantly disturbed and re established as the feed of the lubricant progresses thereby maintaining a constant level height of the lubricant in the control tube. Another factor which affects the rate of feed of the lubricant to the bearing is the relative proportion of the number of strands in the lifting portion and in the feeder portion of the wick. The greater the number of strands in the feeder portion of the wick the greater will be thepacking action thereof and hence the slower will be the rate of feed. In practice the dimensions of the vent opening with relation to those of the control tube and of the reservoir are so chosen as to secure a uniform height of the level of lubricant in said tube, and the relative number of lift and packing strands of the wick,

and the height of the lift portion are so proportioned as to secure the desired rate of feed of the lubricant. When these factors are once established to secure a given rate of feed the same relations and proportions will always result in a feed of the lubricant of the hearing at the same rat-e.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple and efiicient structure of lubricating device, wherein the supply of lubricant to the hearing to be lubricated is accomplished automatically and at a uniform rate in any given structure or With any given condition of factors Which control the rate, and the only care required is to periodically refill the reservoir.

While I have shown various structures embodying the generic characteristics of my invention, I do not desire, in the broadest scope of my invention, as defined in the claims, to be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described.

But having noW set forth the objects and nature of my invention and various structures embodying the principles thereof What I claim as new and useful, and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In an apparatus for lubricating bearings or the like, the combination With closed reservoir to contain the lubricant, said reservoir having a closable refilling opening, of a tube system extending into said reservoir, a support arranged in said tube system, and a feed Wick having capillary litt and gravity feed portions, said Wick being connected to said support, said tube system having a vent opening to atmosphere.

2. In a lubricating device for bearings or the like, a closed reservoir for the lubricant, having a closable refilling opening, a siphonic tube system extending into the reservoir, a support having legs respectively disposed in the intake and delivery portions of said tube system, and a feed Wick having capillary lift and gravity feed portions respectively connected to said support.

3. In a lubricating device for bearings or the like, a closed reservoir for the lubricant, having a closable refilling opening, a siphonic tube system extending into the reservoir, a support having legs respectively disposed in the intake and delivery portions of said tube system, and a feed Wick having capillary lift and gravity feed portions respectively connected to sa d support, said tube system having a vent to atmosphere.

In a lubricating device for bearings or the like, a closed reservoir for the lubricant, having a closable refilling opening, a siphouic tube system extending into the reservoir, a support having a leg disposed in the intake portion of said tube system, and a feed Wick having capillary and gravity feed portions respectively disposed in the in take and delivery portions of the tube system, and means to support the capillary feed portion of said Wick at various heights upon said support.

in a lul iricating device for bearings or the like, a closed reservoir for the lubricant, having a closable refilling opening, a siphonic tube system extending into the reservoir, a support having a leg disposed in the intake portion of said tube system, and a feed. Wick having capillary and gravity feed portions respectively disposed osaeve in the intake and delivery portions of the tube system, and means to support the capillary feed portion of said Wick at various heights upon said support, said tube system having a vent to atmosphere.

6. in a lubricating device for hearings or the like, a closed reservoir for the lubricant having a closable refilling opening, a tube system extending into the reservoir, a feed Wick having capillary lift and gravity feed portions respectively disposed in the intake and delivery portions of said tube system, said tube system having a vent opening to atmosphere.

7. in a lubricating device for hearings or the like, a closed. reservoir for the lubricant having a closable refilling opening, a tube system extending into the reservoir, a feed Wick having capillary lift and gravity feed portions pectively disposed in the intake and deli cry portions of said tube system, said tube system having a vent opening to atmosphere and means to vary the length of the capillary lii't portion of said Wick.

8. In a lubricating device for bearings or the like, a closed reservoir for the lubricant having a closable refilling opening, a siphouic tube system extending into the reervoir, a feed WiCk having capillary lift and gravity feed portions respectively disposed in the intake and delivery portions of said tube system, said capillary lift and gravity feed portions being relatively varied in bulk to control the rate of feed of the lubricant.

9. in a lubricating device a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite Walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wick having a capillary lift portion disposed in said control tube, and a gravity feed portion disposed in said feed tube.

10. l n a lubricating device a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite Walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wick having a capillary lift portion disposed in said control tube, and a gravity feed portion disposed in said feed tube and means to vary the length of said capillary litt't portion.

11.. in a lubricating device a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite \valls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a Wick having a capillary lift portion disposed in said control tube, and a gravity feed portion disposed in said feed tube and means to vary the length of said capillary lift portion, said capillary lift and gravity feed portions of the Wick being relatively varied in bulk.

12. la a lubricating device a closed res fill e'rvoir for the lubricant, control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wiclr having a capillary lift portion disposed in said control'tube, and a gravity feed portion disposed in said feed tube, said control tube having a vent opening to atmosphere.

13.111 a lubricating device a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a control tube and afeed tube extending into the reservoir tli-roitigh opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wicli having a capillary lift portion disposed-in said control tube, and aggravity feed portion disposed in said feed tube and a support for said wick, said support being disposed in said tubes.

14c. In a lubricating device a closed res-' ervoir for the lubricant, a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wick having a capillary lift portion disposed in said control tube, and avity feed por tion disposed in said feed tube. a support for said wick having portions respectively disposed in said tubes, the-ends of said wicl: being anchored to the ends of said support.

15. In a lubricating device av closed rerervoir for the lubricant, a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir througli opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wick having a capillary liftportion disposed in said control tube, and a gravity feed portion disposed in said feed tube and a sup port for said wick, said support being disposed in said tubes, the end of the-wick being sealed to the end-of said so port.

16. in a lubricating device a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation to each other and a wick having a capillary lift portion disposed in said control tube, and gravity feed portion. disposed in saidfeed tube, a support for said wick having portions respectively disposed in said tubes, said wick having its ends sealed in the ends of said support portions, and connected to said support intermediate its ends.

17. In a lubricating apparatus, a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a journal housing, and means to detachably secure said reservoir to said housing, including a clamp bolt, and a bushing extending through the reservoir to receive said clamp bolt, in corn bination with a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation with each other, a feed wick having capillary lift and gravity feed portions re.-

spectively disposed in said tubes, said gravity feed portion delivering to said journal housing, and a vent communicating between said control tube andbushing.

.lSQIn a lubricating apparatus, a closed reservoir for the lubricant, a journal houring, and means to detach-ably secure said reservoir to said housing, including a clamp bolt, and abushing extending through the reservoir to receive said clamp bolt, in com bination with a control tube and a feed tube extending into the reservoir through opposite walls thereof and into telescopic relation. with each o her, a feed wick having capillary lift and gravityfeed portions respectively disposed in said tubes, said gravity feed portion delivering to said journal housing, and a vent communicating between said control tube and bushing, said bushing having an enlarged space at the pointof communicationof said vent therewith. r

19. In a lubricating apparatus, a reservoir, a journal housing to which said reservoir is applied, a feed tube system extending into said reservoir and deliveringto aid housin and having a vent passage cominunicating between said. tube sysien'i and said journal housing.

20. In a lubricating apparatus, a reservoir, a journal housing, a control tube extending into the reservoir, through one wall thereof, a feed tube extending into the res,- ervoir "through the opposite wall thereof and into telescopic relation with the con-- trol tube, said feed tube delivering into said housing, a feed wick having capillary lift and gravity feed portions respectively dis. posed in said control and feed tubes, and a vent con'imunieating between the contro. tube and the interior of said housing.

21. In a lubricating device, a closed reservoir, a control tube closed at its outer end and open at its inner end, said tube extending into the reservoir through the top wall thereof, the inner open end of said tube terminating above the bottom vwall of the reservoir, a feed tube extending into the reservoir through the bottom wall thereof and into the open end of the control tube, said feed tube being open at both ends, and a feed wick having lift and feed portions respectively disposed in said tubes.

22. Ina lubricating device, a closed reservoir, a control tube closed at its outer end and open at its inner end, said tube extending into the reservoir through the top wall. thereof, the inner open end of said tube terminating above the bottom wall. of the reservoir, a feed tube extending into the reservoir through the bottom wall thereof and into the open end of the control tube. said feed tube being open at both ends, and a feed wick having lift and feed portions respectively disposed in said tubes, the said lift portions extending beyond the open end of the control tube.

23. In a lubricating device, a closed reservoir, a control. tube closed at its outer end and open at its inner end, said tube ex tending into the reservoir through the top wall thereof, the inner open end of said tube terminating above the bottom wall of the reservoir, a feed tube extending into the reservoir through the bottom Wall thereof and into the open end of the control tube, said feed tube being open at both ends, and a feed. wick having lift and feed portions respectively disposed in said tubes, said feed tubes being relatively smaller in size than said control tube to afford a space between them.

24. In a lubricating device, a closed reservoir, a control tube closed at its outer end and open at its inner end, said tube extending into the reservoir through the top Wall thereof, the inner open end of said tube terminating above the bottom wall of the reservoir, a feed tube ez-ztending into the reservoir through the bottom wall thereof and into the open end of the control tube, said feed tube being open at both ends, and a feed wick having lift and feed portions respectively disposed in said tubes, said feed tubes being relatively smaller in size than said control tube and disposed. in eccentric relation thereto.

25. In a lubricating apparatus, a reservoir, a journal housing to which said reservoir is applied, a siphonic feed tube system extending into said reservoir and delivering to said housing, and a saddle cover interposed between the reservoir and housing, the delivery portion of said tube system extending through said saddle cover.

2b. A device. for supplying lubricant to suitable journals and the like comprising in combination a. sealed container, an inverted well connected to said container and adapted to normally maintain the surface of lubricant from which the lubricant is fed at a substantially constant level.

2?. A device for supplying lubricant to suitable journals and the like comprising in combination a sealed container, an inverted pipe connected to said container and adapted to maintain the surface of lubricant in said pipe at a substantially constant level, and means to feed lubricant from said level.

28. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a sealed container an inverted pipe extending through one Wall of said container and terminating adjacent the bottom thereof to maintain a free surface of lubricant at a substantially constant level, and a wick in said pipe adapted to lead lubricant from said surface by capillary attraction.

29. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a sealed container, an iverted pipe closed at its upper end extending through one Wall of said container and terminating adjacent the bottom thereof, and a non-compressed wick in said pipe adapted to lead lubricant from said container by free capillary attraction.

30. A device of the character described comprising a sealed container, an inverted tube extending through said container Wall, and a removable support extending through said tube and comprising a retaining member for securing a suitable Wick Within said tube to lead lubricant.through said tube.

31.. In a device of the character described the combination of a journal box lid, a supply of lubricant mounted on said lid, an invcrted tube extending downwardly from the top of the container, a smaller tube extending upwardly and inside of the inverted tube, and means to feed lubricant from a constantlevel at the bottom end of said inverted tube, and which level is under zero hydrostatic pressure.

A lubricating device of the character described comprising a sealed container, an inverted pipe closed at its upper end extending through one wall of said container and terminating adjacent the bottom thereof, and a wick .in said pipe adapted to lead lubricant from said container by capillary attraction.

33. A lubricating device of the character described comprising a sealed container, an inverted pipe extending through one wall of said container and terminating adjacent the bottom thereof, a d-etach al'ile cover on the end of said pipe leading to the exterior of said container, and a wick in said pipe adapted to lead lubricant from said container by free capillary attraction.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 10th day of April A. 1)., 1928.

LEVERETT M. CLARK. 

